> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.backstack.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart Guide

> Get started with Backstack in under 10 minutes

# Quickstart Guide

Get up and running with Backstack in about 10 minutes. This guide walks you through creating your first workspace, installing a tool, and connecting an AI client.

## Prerequisites

* A Backstack account (sign up at [app.backstack.io](https://app.backstack.io))
* An AI client that supports MCP (we recommend [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download))

## Step 1: Sign Up and Create an Account

1. Visit [app.backstack.io](https://app.backstack.io)
2. Click **Sign Up** and choose your authentication method:
   * Email and password
   * Continue with Google
   * Continue with GitHub
3. Complete the sign-up process and verify your email if required

You'll be automatically signed in after creating your account.

<Tip>
  If you already have an account, click **Sign In** instead and use your preferred login method.
</Tip>

## Step 2: Create or Join an Organization

After signing in for the first time:

1. You'll be prompted to either:
   * **Create a new organization** - Enter your organization name and click Create
   * **Join an existing organization** - Enter the invitation code from your admin

2. If you created an organization, you're automatically assigned the Owner role with full administrative access

<Note>
  Your organization is where you'll manage team members, install tools, and configure settings. All team members share access to organization tools and workspaces.
</Note>

## Step 3: Create Your First Workspace

Workspaces organize tools and resources for specific projects or teams:

1. Navigate to **Workspaces** in the sidebar
2. Click **Create Workspace**
3. Enter a workspace name (e.g., "Development", "Research", "Marketing")
4. Add an optional description
5. Set visibility:
   * **Private** - Only visible to members you invite
   * **Organization** - Visible to all organization members
6. Click **Create**

Your new workspace is now ready to use.

<Tip>
  Start with an "Organization" visibility workspace so all team members can access it. You can create private workspaces later for sensitive projects.
</Tip>

## Step 4: Install Your First MCP Tool

Add a tool that your AI can use:

1. Navigate to **Organization** → **Services** (admin/owner access required)
2. Click **Add Service**
3. Select **Install NPM Package**
4. Enter a package name:
   * For GitHub integration: `@modelcontextprotocol/server-github`
   * For filesystem access: `@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem`
   * For Brave search: `@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search`
5. Leave version as "latest" unless you need a specific version
6. Add environment variables if required (e.g., `GITHUB_TOKEN` for the GitHub server)
7. Click **Install**

The tool will build and deploy automatically. This takes 2-5 minutes.

<Note>
  Many MCP tools require environment variables like API keys. You can configure these during installation or add them later from the service menu.
</Note>

## Step 5: Connect Your AI Client

Connect Claude Desktop (or another MCP-compatible client) to Backstack:

### For Claude Desktop

1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to Settings → Developer
3. Find the MCP Servers section
4. Copy your MCP endpoint from Backstack:
   * In Backstack, click your profile icon → Copy MCP URL
5. Add a new server in Claude Desktop:
   ```json theme={null}
   {
     "backstack": {
       "command": "npx",
       "args": ["-y", "@backstack/mcp-client"],
       "env": {
         "BACKSTACK_URL": "your-mcp-url-here"
       }
     }
   }
   ```
6. Restart Claude Desktop

Claude will now have access to your Backstack tools and resources.

### For Other Clients

See the full [MCP Setup Guide](/mcp) for instructions on:

* VS Code with Continue or Cline
* Cursor
* Windsurf
* Zed

<Tip>
  Your MCP URL is unique to you and includes your authentication token. Keep it private and don't share it publicly.
</Tip>

## Step 6: Start Your First Conversation

Test your setup with an AI conversation:

1. Open your connected AI client (Claude Desktop, VS Code, etc.)
2. Start a new conversation
3. Try using one of your installed tools:
   * If you installed the GitHub server: "List my GitHub repositories"
   * If you installed the filesystem server: "Show me the files in my Documents folder"
   * If you installed Brave search: "Search for the latest news about AI"

Your AI will execute the tool and return results!

<Note>
  Tools appear automatically in your AI conversations. You don't need to explicitly enable them - just ask questions that require tool use.
</Note>

## Next Steps

Now that you're up and running, explore more features:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Invite Team Members" icon="users" href="/organizations#managing-team-members">
    Add colleagues to your organization and workspaces
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install More Tools" icon="server" href="/organization-services">
    Browse and install additional MCP tools for your team
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set Up Security Policies" icon="shield-check" href="/security-policies">
    Define security rules to protect your organization
  </Card>

  <Card title="Share Documents" icon="file" href="/documents">
    Upload and share documents for AI access
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure Desktop App" icon="desktop" href="/desktop">
    Install the desktop client for document sync
  </Card>

  <Card title="View Analytics" icon="chart-bar" href="/metrics">
    Monitor tool usage across your team
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

### MCP Connection Issues

**AI client can't connect to Backstack:**

* Verify your MCP URL is correct and includes your authentication token
* Check that you've restarted your AI client after adding the server
* Ensure your internet connection is stable

### Tool Not Working

**Installed tool doesn't appear in conversations:**

* Wait for the installation to complete (check status in Organization → Services)
* Verify the tool is assigned to your workspace
* Restart your AI client to refresh available tools

### Authentication Problems

**Can't sign in or session expires quickly:**

* Clear your browser cache and cookies
* Try a different authentication method (Google, GitHub, email/password)
* Check that your email is verified if using email authentication

### Need Help?

* Check the [Platform Overview](/overview) for core concepts
* Read the full [MCP Setup Guide](/mcp) for detailed client configuration
* Contact your organization admin if you're having access issues
* Visit [backstack.io](https://backstack.io) for support resources

## Estimated Time

Following this guide should take approximately **10 minutes**:

* Account creation: 2 minutes
* Organization and workspace setup: 2 minutes
* Installing first tool: 3-5 minutes (build time)
* MCP client connection: 2-3 minutes
* First conversation: 1 minute

Welcome to Backstack!